Compression for Recovery, Health and Vitality

Author: Elouise BerminghamPosted: 21/05/2018

Finding something you trust that reduces aches, pains, swelling, muscle soreness for every agecan be difficult. You could swim, bike, yoga, stretch, cool down more, but there are limits to time and energy in this busy day and age. Sometimes we do not want to be out there pushing our bodies more and more, sometimes we just want to take a moment, relax and have something to just take these things away.

This is where you look at compression therapy. No matter your age, energy levels or muscle soreness. This is where you can take the 30min out to put your feet up (literally), relax and feel better.

Compression therapy is not only relaxing, it is an effective treatment for Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), oedema, heavy or aching legs and feet, lymphatic drainage, improving vitality and more. It is for everyBODY.

Compression therapy works by using pressure starting on the outermost part of the limb, then tightening section by section toward the heart. This gently pushed the fluid and blood toward the organs so it can be cleaned and excreted. The pressure can be increased or decreased to suit the comfort of the person.

DOMS is a killer after a big training session and can prevent optimal training in your next session. This is due to the micro trauma, inflammatory response, electrolyte shifts and intramuscular fluid. Creating Kinase and Lactic Dehydrogenase are present in the blood causing inhibited movement and strength reduction. It is recommended to reduce training in the first 24hrs to allow the muscles to repair. Studies have found that compression therapy reduced the intensity of DOMS pain, but also decreased the duration of pain related to DOMS by 1 day.1

Working and being on your feet all day can be exhausting. Coming home with aching, exhausted, stiff legs is not the way we want to end the day. And yes, exercise would help relieve it, but really with everything going on it can be hard to find the time. Compression therapy works on relieving these discomforts by moving the blood and fluid from the arms and legs. Once this pressure is released the filtered blood and fluid can return. It is cleaner and a normal amount, the oedema is greatly reduced leaving the legs and arms lighter, more subtle with a reduction of aches and pains. And all you have to do is sit there. It can be just a little time out to improve your health and vitality.

This carry’s onto the more extreme of oedema and reduced fluid movement. Inactive people, especially the elderly or people with disabilities do not have the gross body movement happening that moves blood and fluid through the body. Moving large muscles creates a pressure movement, which is missing in these cases. Using compression therapy on inactive people improves their vitality by moving fluid to be oxygenated and cleaned. Increasing oxygen in the blood improves mental ability and vitality.

I have seen a 93year old lady, who has early dementia and no longer has the ability to walk well, improve overnight. She completed a 30min session. The next day she could walk further and was much more connected, present and clear. The feedback from her daughter was “Her walking has doubled in strength and her ability to stand now is amazing…. (Her mothers) Conversation was really good.”

One thing that needs to be noted here is that a side effect of reducing oedema is more frequent urination. We recommend that this is taken into account for the assistance in the following day. Especially if the person has trouble making it to the toilet on time, it can cause embarrassment and stress which is something we want to reduce. We want this therapy to be enjoyable for them as the benefits are great.

Benefits of Compression Therapy

Reduction of DOMS

Decreased Aches and Pains

Increased Mental and Physical Vitality

Oxygenation of stagnant blood

Relaxing

Thinner ankles due to oedema reduction

Reduced chance of ulcers in inactive people due to movement of blood

No matter your activity level, age or motivation. Compression therapy is a great way to improve your wellbeing, health and vitality. It is safe and the pressure is fully customisable by the client.

If you want to improve these areas in your life, your parents, or your children then call to make an appointment.